India, Singapore call for multilateral action on terrorism

New Delhi, Oct 6 (IANS) India and Singapore on Thursday called for “reinvigorating multilateral action on terrorism” and “adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism in the United Nations” at the earliest.

According to a joint statement released at the end of the visit of Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong to India, the two prime ministers “reviewed and expressed satisfaction over the good progress in the bilateral relationship since the signing of the Joint Declaration on a Strategic Partnership”.

The two countries signed the joint declaration during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Singapore last year.

“The two Prime Ministers also noted the convening of the first Defence Industry Working Group in May 2016, the continued progress in cooperation in defence R&amp;D and technology, regular joint military exercises and training between the armies, air forces and navies, service-to-service cooperation, naval ship visits, and the sharing of White-Shipping Information,” the joint statement said.

The two Prime Ministers expressed satisfaction at the ongoing cooperation to address common security concerns, such as in the areas of counter-terrorism, maritime security, cyber security and illicit drug trafficking.

Welcoming the launch of six satellites of Singapore by the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) in December 2015, the Prime Ministers hailed the growing cooperation between India and Singapore in space technology and stressed on the need for furthering cooperation in R&amp;D.

“The Prime Ministers also recognised the importance of exploring the expansion of air connectivity to support new and commercially viable air links between and beyond both countries,” the statement said.

The two nations in the statement have “reiterated their support for security, safety and freedom of navigation and over flight,” as per the “international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS”.

Tje two nations have “called upon all parties to resolve disputes through peaceful means without threat or use of force and exercise self-restraint in the conduct of actions that could escalate tensions in the region”, it added.

Prime Minister Lee expressed his condolences to the Indian Government and the families of the victims of the Uri attack, and “the two Prime Ministers affirmed their resolve to fight against global terrorism, terror organisations and networks and all those who encourage, support and finance them”.

India welcomed the realisation of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) community and expressed full support for Asean’s centrality in the evolving regional structure.

Three memoranda of understanding (MoU) were signed during this visit on Industrial Property Cooperation between Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) and Intellectual Property Office of Singapore, Collaboration in the Field of Technical and Vocational Education and Training between the National Skill Development Corporation and ITE Education Services, Singapore, and Collaboration in the Field of Technical and Vocational Education and Training between the Government of Assam and ITE Education Services, Singapore.